Swegs adapted for use in cooling, heating, voc remediation, mining, pasteurization and brewing applications

ABSTRACT

Apparatus includes a heat extraction system (SWEGS) in combination with some further apparatus for implementing some further functionality, e.g., associated with cooling/heating, remediation, mining, pasteurization and brewing applications. The SWEGS generates geothermal heat from within a drilled well, and includes a heat conductive material injected into an area within a heat nest near a bottom of a drilled well between a heat exchanging element and rock surrounding the heat nest to form a closed-loop solid state heat exchange to heat contents of a piping system flowing into and out of the heat exchanging element at an equilibrium temperature at which the rock surrounding the heat nest and generating the geothermal heat continually recoups the geothermal heat that the rock is conducting to the heat conductive material and above which the geothermal heat generated by the rock surrounding the heat nest dissipates as the heat conductive material conducts heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest to the heat exchanging element. The heat conductive material may be configured to solidify to substantially fill the area within the heat nest to transfer heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest and the heat exchanging element. The piping system may be configured to bring the contents from a surface of the well into the heat nest and carry heated contents to the surface of the well from the heat nest. The closed-loop solid state heat exchange may be configured to extract geothermal heat from the well without exposing the rock surrounding the heat nest to a liquid flow, and provide heated contents to the piping system for further processing. The further apparatus receives the heated content and further processes the heated content in order to implement some further functionality based at least partly on using the heated content.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/482,368, filed 4 May 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field geothermal energy; and more particularly relates to using a single-well engineered geothermal system (SWEGS) in cooling, heating, VOC remediation, mining, pasteurization and brewing applications.

2. Description of Related Art

FIG. 1 shows a single-well engineered geothermal system (also known hereinafter as “SWEGS”) disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication no. US 2009/0320475 (Atty docket no. 800-163.2), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The SWEGS takes the form of a heat extraction system for generating geothermal heat from within a drilled well, having a heat conductive material injected into an area within a heat nest near a bottom of a drilled well between a heat exchanging element and rock surrounding the heat nest to form a closed-loop solid state heat exchange to heat contents of a piping system flowing into and out of the heat exchanging element at an equilibrium temperature at which the rock surrounding the heat nest and generating the geothermal heat continually recoups the geothermal heat that the rock is conducting to the heat conductive material and above which the geothermal heat generated by the rock surrounding the heat nest dissipates as the heat conductive material conducts heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest to the heat exchanging element. The heat conductive material may be configured to solidify to substantially fill the area within the heat nest to transfer heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest and the heat exchanging element. The piping system may be configured to bring the contents from a surface of the well into the heat nest and carry heated contents to the surface of the well from the heat nest. The closed-loop solid state heat exchange may be configured to extract geothermal heat from the well without exposing the rock surrounding the heat nest to a liquid flow, and provide heated contents to the piping system for further processing.

Different embodiments of the SWEGS may include one or more of the following: The equilibrium temperature may be increased by increasing the surface area of the rock surrounding the heat nest. At least one additional bore hole may be drilled into the rock to increase the surface area of the rock; at least one additional material may be injected into the heat nest, including at least one ball bearing, at least one bead, or a meshed metallic material. The piping system may include a set of flexible downward-flowing pipes that carry the contents of the piping system into the heat exchanging element, and a set of flexible upward-flowing pipes that carry the contents of the piping system out of the heat exchanging element. The downward-flowing pipes and upward-flowing pipes each may include a plurality of layers of wound corrosion resistant steel wiring. The heat exchanging element may include a plurality of capillaries. The contents of the downward-flowing pipes may be dispersed through the plurality of capillaries after entering the heat exchanging element. Each capillary in the plurality of capillaries has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the downward-flowing pipes, thereby allowing the contents of the piping system to heat quickly as the contents pass through the plurality of capillaries. The contents of the piping system may be an environmentally inert, heat conductive fluid that does not boil when heated within the heat nest. The contents of the piping system is water or a gas. The heat conductive material may be grout, molten metal, a ceramic, a mesh material, plastic. The heat conductive material may stabilize pressure on the piping system and the heat exchanging element within the heat nest. The equilibrium temperature may be in a range of temperatures determined at least in part by a surface area of the rock within the heat nest. The heat exchanging element may have a helix shape in which the piping system within the heat exchanging element comprises at least one twisted pipe to increase the distance contents of the piping system flows within the heat exchanging element.

Other SWEGS-related cases have also been filed, including U.S. Patent Publication nos. US 2010/0276115 (Atty docket no. 800-163.3); US 2010/0270002 (Atty docket no. 800-163.4); US 2010/0270001 (Atty docket no. 800-163.5); and US 2010/0269501 (Atty docket no. 800-163.6), which are all incorporated hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The SWEGS technology provides an important contribution to the state of the art of geothermal energy, including in the area of generating electricity, and also including in the area of heat extraction from the earth, e.g., to generate electricity. The SWEGS technology also represents a renewable green heat generator technology.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application sets forth further applications of the basic SWEGS technology in the areas of cooling/heating applications, remediation applications, mining applications, pasteurization applications and brewing applications.

By way of example, according to some embodiment, the present invention may take the form of apparatus featuring a heat extraction system (i.e. the SWEGS) in combination with some further apparatus for implementing some further functionality, e.g., associated with the aforementioned cooling/heating, remediation, mining, pasteurization and brewing applications.

The SWEGS may be configured for generating geothermal heat from within a drilled well, and includes a heat conductive material injected into an area within a heat nest near a bottom of a drilled well between a heat exchanging element and rock surrounding the heat nest to form a closed-loop solid state heat exchange to heat contents of a piping system flowing into and out of the heat exchanging element at an equilibrium temperature at which the rock surrounding the heat nest and generating the geothermal heat continually recoups the geothermal heat that the rock is conducting to the heat conductive material and above which the geothermal heat generated by the rock surrounding the heat nest dissipates as the heat conductive material conducts heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest to the heat exchanging element. The heat conductive material may be configured to solidify to substantially fill the area within the heat nest to transfer heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest and the heat exchanging element. The piping system may be configured to bring the contents from a surface of the well into the heat nest and carry heated contents to the surface of the well from the heat nest. The closed-loop solid state heat exchange may be configured to extract geothermal heat from the well without exposing the rock surrounding the heat nest to a liquid flow, and provide heated contents to the piping system for further processing.

The further apparatus may be configured to receive the heated content and to further process the heated content in order to implement some further functionality based at least partly on using the heated content.

The SWEGS has many application uses, and by way of example this patent application sets forth five application uses, as follows:

1) Heating and Cooling of Industrial, Commercial and Residential facilities,

2) Remediation of Brownfields,

3) Mining Applications—Leaching,

4) Pasteurization Processes, and

5) Brewing Processes.

Heating/Cooling Application

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the further apparatus may include heating apparatus configured to receive the heated content, e.g., from the SWEGS, and to provide thermal heat based at least partly on the temperature of the heated content. The heating apparatus may include a hot fluid reservoir configured to receive and contain the heated content; and a pump configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir to one or more heating or cooling systems. The heated content may take the form of a Durathem™-based circulating fluid. The one or more heating or cooling systems may include either a chiller configured to provide a cooling application, a heat exchanger configured to provide a heating application, or both. The heating apparatus may be configured to provide heating apparatus content back to the heat extraction system for further processing, including re-heating. Heating and cooling applications include the heated content coming directly from the SWEGS, directly from the hot fluid reservoir, as well as the heated content coming from an application, like from the generation of electricity, which itself receives the heated content from the SWEGS.

This patent application is directed at using the SWEGS not only for electricity, but for additional heat applications, including for using the SWEGS for stand alone heating and cooling applications. In effect, the SWEGS technology represents a renewable green heat generator for major heat and cooling applications.

Remediation Applications

In remediation applications, a geothermal energy production plant may be installed on a brownfield site, and geothermal energy may be used to remediate VOCs in soil and groundwater. The SWEGS may be installed on-site or adjacent to a site. Heated content may be routed to VOC-contaminated soil, rock, and groundwater through a closed loop of hot liquid. The temperature of the heated content may be adjusted as needed. VOCs typically volatilize at temperatures up to 100° C. and may be captured, e.g., in a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system, and treated. The remediation technique heats soil/rock/water similar to electrical resistance heating, which has achieved >90% reduction in VOC concentrations at many sites, but geothermal heating from the SWEGS is achieved at a fraction of the cost of techniques based on electrical resistance heating.

Based of this, and according to some embodiments of the present invention, the further apparatus may include remediation apparatus configured to receive the heated content, e.g., from the SWEGS, and to provide remediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including VOC-contaminated soil, rock or groundwater, based at least partly on the temperature of the heated content, including where VOCs volatize at temperatures up to 100° C. The remediation apparatus may include a soil vapor extraction system configured to capture volatized VOCs for further processing. The remediation apparatus may include a hot fluid reservoir configured to receive and contain the heated content; and a pump configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir via piping through to one or more remediation heat loops or systems, including through one or more VOC plumes. The remediation apparatus may be configured to provide remediation apparatus content back to the heat extraction system for further processing. Remediation applications include the heated content coming directly from the SWEGS, directly from the hot fluid reservoir, as well as the heat content coming from another application, like from the generation of electricity, which itself receives the heated content from the SWEGS.

Mining Applications

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the goal is to replace 100% of the BTU demand for the combustion of petroleum in boilers used in mining applications with a SWEGS solution, so as to achieve petroleum consumption reduction in the process of leaching and carbon emission reduction. This is accomplished according to the present invention by modifying the process at the point of heat transfer through an adaptation of a primary fluid used for extraction and optimization of resources from SWEGS-based heat. Through a binary cycle, the primary fluid transfers heat to a secondary fluid required which is part of the leaching process.

By way of example, and according to some embodiments of the present invention, the further apparatus may include mining apparatus configured to receive the heated content and to provide the heated contents for mining applications. The mining apparatus may be configured to receive the heated content and to transfer heat to a secondary fluid required that is part of a leaching system or process. The mining apparatus may include a hot fluid reservoir configured to receive and contain the heated content; a pump configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir via piping; and a heat exchanger configured to receive the heated content and transfer heat to a secondary fluid used in a leaching process, including where the secondary fluid is heated from about 25° C. to a range of about 40° C. to 50° C. and used in a lixiviation process. The mining apparatus may include a hot fluid reservoir configured to receive and contain the heated content; a pump configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir via piping; and a heat exchanger configured to receive the heated content and transfer heat to a secondary fluid used in a leaching process, including where the secondary fluid is heated from about 25° C. to about 50° C. and circulated through a leaching pool. The mining apparatus may be configured to provide mining apparatus content back to the heat extraction system for further processing. The heated content may be a Durathem™-based circulating fluid. Mining applications include the heated content coming directly from the SWEGS, directly from the hot fluid reservoir, as well as the heated content coming from an application, like from the generation of electricity, which itself receives the heated content from the SWEGS.

Pasteurization or Brewing Applications

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the further apparatus comprises pasteurization or brewing apparatus configured to receive the heated content and to provide the heated contents to boilers and heaters used during for pasteurizing or brewing. Pasteurizing or brewing applications include the heated content coming directly from the SWEGS, directly from the hot fluid reservoir, as well as the heated content coming from an application, like from the generation of electricity, which itself receives the heated content from the SWEGS.

Method Claims

According to some embodiments, the present invention may take the form of a method featuring generating with a heat extraction system geothermal heat from within a drilled well, using the following steps: injecting a heat conductive material into an area within a heat nest near a bottom of a drilled well between a heat exchanging element and rock surrounding the heat nest to form a closed-loop solid state heat exchange to heat contents of a piping system flowing into and out of the heat exchanging element at an equilibrium temperature at which the rock surrounding the heat nest and generating the geothermal heat continually recoups the geothermal heat that the rock is conducting to the heat conductive material and above which the geothermal heat generated by the rock surrounding the heat nest dissipates as the heat conductive material conducts heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest to the heat exchanging element, substantially filing and solidifying the heat conductive material in the area within the heat nest to transfer heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest and the heat exchanging element, bringing with the piping system the contents from a surface of the well into the heat nest and carry heated contents to the surface of the well from the heat nest, and extracting with the closed-loop solid state heat exchange geothermal heat from the well without exposing the rock surrounding the heat nest to a liquid flow, and provide heated contents to the piping system for further processing; and receiving with a further apparatus the heated content and further processing the heated content in order to implement some further functionality based at least partly on using the heated content, including functionality associated with cooling/heating applications, remediation applications, mining applications, pasteurization applications and brewing applications, consistent with that set forth herein.

The method may also include one or more of the other features consistent with that set forth herein.

Means-Plus-Function Apparatus Claim

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the present invention may take the form of a method comprising: means for generating geothermal heat from within a drilled well, using the following steps: injecting a heat conductive material into an area within a heat nest near a bottom of a drilled well between a heat exchanging element and rock surrounding the heat nest to form a closed-loop solid state heat exchange to heat contents of a piping system flowing into and out of the heat exchanging element at an equilibrium temperature at which the rock surrounding the heat nest and generating the geothermal heat continually recoups the geothermal heat that the rock is conducting to the heat conductive material and above which the geothermal heat generated by the rock surrounding the heat nest dissipates as the heat conductive material conducts heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest to the heat exchanging element, substantially filing and solidifying the heat conductive material in the area within the heat nest to transfer heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest and the heat exchanging element, bringing with the piping system the contents from a surface of the well into the heat nest and carry heated contents to the surface of the well from the heat nest, and extracting with the closed-loop solid state heat exchange geothermal heat from the well without exposing the rock surrounding the heat nest to a liquid flow, and provide heated contents to the piping system for further processing; and means for receiving the heated content and further processing the heated content in order to implement some further functionality based at least partly on using the heated content.

The Companion Application

Finally, the present application is being filed concurrent with a companion application disclosing ColdNest technology, identified as PCT patent application serial no PCT/US12/36498 (Atty docket no. 800-163.7-1), which claims benefit to an earlier filed provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/482,332, filed 4 May 2011 (Atty docket no. 800-163.7), which are both also incorporated by reference in their entirety. This companion application sets forth still an alternative embodiment to the basic SWEGS technology by incorporating, e.g., a ColdNest and optional cooling tower, consistent with that shown in FIG. 2 herein, and disclosed in detail in this companion application.

Moreover, other SWEGS-related applications have also been filed, including U.S. provisional patent application nos. 61/576,719 (Atty docket no. 800-163.9) and 61/576,700 (Atty docket no. 800-163.10), filed 16 Dec. 2011, which are both incorporated hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an electricity generation system that is known in the art, including that disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication no. US 2009/0320475 (Atty docket no. 800-163.2).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a single well engineered geothermal system (SWEGS) arranged in relation to a ColdNest, according to some embodiments of the present invention, and consistent with that disclosed patent application serial no. PCT/US12/36498 (Atty docket no. 800-163.7-1).

FIG. 3 a is a diagram of a heating application for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 b is a diagram of heating/cooling applications for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 c is a diagram of heating/cooling applications for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 d is a diagram of a cooling application for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 e is a diagram of a heating application for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 a is a diagram of a remediation application for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 b is a diagram of a remediation application for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 c is a diagram of a remediation application for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 a is a diagram of a solvent extraction system that is known in the art.

FIG. 5 b is a diagram of a boiler used in a mining application that is known in the art.

FIG. 5 c is a diagram of a heat cycle for a leaching application for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 d is a diagram of a heat cycle for leaching application for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 e is a diagram of electricity and leaching applications for SWEGS, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 f is a graph of thermal output (MW) versus permeability power (mD), according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 a is a diagram of juice pasteurization processes that is known in the art, and that may be modified for a SWEGS-based application, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 b is a diagram of a brewing process that is known in the art, and that may be modified for a SWEGS application, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 3 a-3 e Heating/Cooling Applications

By way of example, according to some embodiment, the present invention may take the form of apparatus generally indicated as 10 featuring a heat extraction system (i.e. the SWEGS) generally indicated as 12 consistent with that shown in FIG. 1 in combination with some further apparatus that may take the form of heating/cooling application, apparatus or system, as shown in FIGS. 3 a-3 e. By way of example, the heating and cooling applications may include heating and cooling of industrial, commercial and/or residential facilities, and may include using a hot fluid reservoir, a chiller, an absorption chiller and a heat exchanger, consistent with that set forth herein.

FIG. 3 a shows the SWEGS 12 configured for generating geothermal heat from within a drilled well, consistent with that described in relation to FIG. 1. In FIG. 3 a, the heating and cooling applications, apparatus or system may take the form of heating apparatus indicated by reference label 14 that may be configured to receive the heated content from the SWEGS 12 and to provide some form of thermal heat based at least partly on the temperature of the heated content. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the type or kind of heating application either now known or later developed in the future, including applications related to industrial, commercial and/or residential facilities, consistent with that set forth in FIGS. 3 b to 3 e.

In FIG. 3 b, the heating apparatus 14 may include a hot fluid reservoir 20 configured to receive and contain the heated content from the SWEGS 12; and a pump 22 configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir 20 to one or more further heating or cooling systems, applications or apparatus. In operation, the heating apparatus 14 may be configured to support multiple heating and cooling applications from the one hot fluid reservoir 20. In FIG. 3 b, a pump 24 may be configured to provide fluid back from the multiple heating and cooling applications to the SWEGS 12 for re-heating, as shown.

By way of example, the heated content may take the form of a Durathem™-based circulating fluid, although the scope of the invention is intended to include other types or kinds of circulating fluid either now known or later developed in the future.

FIG. 3 c shows still further heating or cooling systems, applications or apparatus 28 that may include a chiller 30 configured to receive the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir 20 and provide a chilled fluid for a further cooling application, as shown. Embodiments also include the fluid from the chiller 30 being recirculated back to SWEGS 12 for re-heating, as shown. The heated content from the hot fluid reservoir 20 may also be provided for heating applications, then the fluid may also be recirculated back to SWEGS 12, as shown. The heating or cooling systems, applications or apparatus 28 may also be configured with a pump 34 for providing the heated content from the SWEGS 12 to the hot fluid reservoir 20. as shown.

Chillers like element 30 are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof either now known or later developed in the future.

FIG. 3 d shows a further cooling application, system or apparatus generally indicated as 40 having the SWEGS 12 in combination with an absorption chiller 42 configured to receive hot fluid or content 12 a from the SWEGS 12 and to provide cold fluid or content 12 b back to the SWEGS 12 for re-heating, as shown. The absorption chiller 42 may also be configured to receive hot fluid 44 and to provide a cold fluid 46, as shown, for use in a further cooling application, including related to industrial, commercial and/or residential facilities, such as air conditioning, refrigeration, etc.

As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, absorption chillers are known in the art, and use heat, instead of mechanical energy, to provide cooling. The mechanical vapor compressor is replaced by a thermal compressor (see FIG. 3 d) that consists of an absorber, a generator, a pump, and a throttling device. In operation, the refrigerant vapor from the evaporator is absorbed by a solution mixture in the absorber. This solution is then pumped to the generator where the refrigerant is re-vaporized using a heat source. The refrigerant-depleted solution is then returned to the absorber via a throttling device. The two most common refrigerant/absorbent mixtures used in absorption chillers are water/lithium bromide and ammonia/water.

Compared to mechanical chillers, absorption chillers have a low coefficient of performance (COP=chiller load/heat input). Nonetheless, they can substantially reduce operating costs because they are energized by low-grade waste heat, while vapor compression chillers must be motor- or engine-driven.

Low-pressure, steam-driven absorption chillers are available in capacities ranging from 100 to 1,500 tons. Absorption chillers come in two commercially available designs: single-effect and double-effect. Single-effect machines provide a thermal COP of 0.7 and require about 18 pounds of 15-psig steam per ton-hour of cooling. Double-effect machines are about 40 percent more efficient, but require a higher grade of thermal input, using about 10 pounds of 100- to 150-psig steam per ton-hour. Absorption chillers can reshape facility thermal and electric load profiles by shifting cooling from an electric to a thermal load. If one is served by an electric utility with a ratcheted demand charge, they may be able to reduce demand charges throughout the year by reducing your summer peak loads.

FIG. 3 e shows a further heating application, system or apparatus generally indicated as 50 having the SWEGS 12 in combination with a heat exchanger 52 configured to receive hot fluid or content 12 a from the SWEGS 12 and to provide cold fluid or content 12 b back to the SWEGS 12 for re-heating, as shown. The heat exchanger 52 also is configured to receive cold fluid 54 and to provide a hot fluid 56, as shown, for use in a further cooling application, including related to industrial, commercial and/or residential facilities, such as for heating or further heating something else.

The aforementioned techniques are provided by way of example. However, the scope of the invention is also intended to include using the SWEGS technology in relation to other types or kinds of applications for heating and cooling either now known or later developed in the future.

FIGS. 4 a-4 c Remediation Applications

By way of example, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the further application or apparatus may include a remediation application or apparatus generally indicated as 60 configured to receive the heated content from the SWEGS 12 and to provide remediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including VOC-contaminated soil, rock or groundwater, based at least partly on the temperature of the heated content, including where VOCs volatize at temperatures up to 100° C.

FIG. 4 a shows the remediation apparatus 60 configured with three waste heat pipes 62 a, 62 b, 62 c to receive heated content, e.g., in the form of waste heat from a plant 63. The three waste heat pipes 62 a, 62 b, 62 c are configured in relation to a VOC Plume that is underground, as shown. The plant 63 is configured to receive its heated content from the SWEGS 12, although the scope of the invention is intended to include the remediation apparatus 60 being configured to receive the heated content directly from the SWEGS 12. The remediation apparatus 60 may also be configured with a soil vapor extraction system 64 that is configured to capture volatized VOCs for further processing, e.g., by a compressor 66 and a thermal oxidizer 68, as shown. The plant 62 is configured to product electricity for providing to an electricity transmission system 70, as shown.

FIG. 4 b shows remediation apparatus 80 configured with a hot fluid reservoir 82 configured to receive and contain the heated content 12 a from the SWEGS 12; and a pump 84 configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir 82 via piping 86 through to one or more remediation heat loops or systems, including through one or more VOC plumes 88. The remediation apparatus 80 may be configured to provide remediation apparatus content 88 a back via a pump 90 to the SWEGS 12 for further processing, including re-heating.

FIG. 4 c shows remediation apparatus 100 configured with a hot fluid reservoir 82 that is configured to receive and contain the heated content 12 a from the SWEGS 12 via a pump 102. The hot fluid reservoir 82 may be configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir 82 via remediation heat loops or systems 104 to one or more VOC plumes 106. The remediation apparatus 80 may also be configured to provide remediation apparatus content 106 a back to the SWEGS 12 for further processing, including re-heating.

The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the type or kind of VOC plume to be treated, and is intended to include treating VOC plumes both now known and later developed in the future.

Example No. 1 Historical Remediation

The present invention may be implemented in relation to a historical remediation process that may include, or take the form of the following:

Phase I site assessment: Review of existing records of property use, aerial photos and surrounding land uses;

Phase II investigation: Sampling soil—shows gasoline constituents (VOCs) in soil;

Phase III investigation: Reveals shallow groundwater impacted with VOCs to depths of 50 feet;

Remedial Action Plan (RAP): Identifies recommended plan to remove and treat VOCs, where the RAP specifies groundwater pumping and treatment, soil vapor extraction (SVE), soil excavation, chemical oxidation, enhanced biodegradation, surfactant flushing, electrical resistance heating/SVE.

A governmental agency will typically have to approve the RAP, then the plan may be implemented. Cleanup occurs over period of several years (typically), depending on method used and geology.

The SWEGS-Based Remediation Process

The SWEGS 12 may be installed on site (or nearby). Heating/SVE option may be implemented that heats the soil/water to 100° C., so as to achieve a cleanup within months.

Example No. 2 Historical Remediation Process

A site may be characterized with multiple investigations—industrial solvent contaminant is known to extend below water table, to depths of 120 feet.

After 10 years, remedial action proves ineffective and costly; high concentrations persist

The SWEGS-Based Remediation Process

The SWEGS 12 may be installed on site or nearby; electric production begins.

Geothermal remediation using residual heat from SWEGS 12 is routed to impacted zone through closed loop. Soil/rock/water heated to 100° C.

Remediation cleanup targets achieved in months

FIGS. 5 a-5 f Mining Applications

By way of example, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the further application or apparatus may include a mining application, including in the areas of solvent extraction and electrowinning for copper mining.

The Prior Art Mining Techniques

Mining applications may include solvent extraction and electrowinning for copper mining: For example, there are two distinct types of copper ore:

Sulfide ores: beneficiated in flotation cells, and

Oxide ores: generally leached.

First, consistent with that shown in FIG. 5 a, the copper ore from an open pit mine may be blasted, loaded and transported to the primary crushers. Then the ore is crushed and screened, goes to the heap leach where the copper is subjected to a dilute sulfuric acid solution to dissolve the copper. Then, the leach solution containing the dissolved copper is subjected to a process called Solvent Extraction (SX). The SX process concentrates and purifies the copper leach solution so the copper can be recovered at a high electrical current efficiency by electrowinning cells (EW).

This may be done by adding a chemical reagent to the SX tanks which selectively binds with and extracts the copper, is easily separated from the copper (stripped), recovering as much of the reagent as possible for re-use. The concentrated copper solution is dissolved in sulfuric acid and sent to the electrolytic cells for recovery as copper plates (cathodes). From the copper cathodes, it is manufactured into wire, appliances, etc. that are used in every day life.

The SX Lixiviation Process: Solvent extraction is a method of purification of solutions used in the mining industry. The method involves contacting a rich leach solution an organic reagent which has the ability selectively remove metal ions of interest. At a later stage the resin is discharged, i.e., this resin trapped ions returns and delivers a clean solution. Solvent extraction is at least two stages, the first stage, load, is known as extraction and the second stage, discharge, is called stripping.

The electrolyte is the electrolyte circulating downloaded return. Upon leaving the cell has a temperature of 50 C (122° F.), a value that keeps being pushed back to the SX process, to heat exchange with the electrolyte charged.

Charged electrolyte typically must have a minimum temperature to avoid precipitation of copper sulfate in the fluid, this temperature depends on the concentration of copper and acid.

This process is used to obtain high purity fine metal (gold, silver, copper) in various countries such as Chile, Peru, Mexico, etc.

Mining Techniques According to the Present Invention

By way of example, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the further apparatus may include mining apparatus configured to receive the heated content from the SWEGS 12 (see FIGS. 5 c-5 e) and to provide the heated contents for mining applications. In effect, the boiler shown in FIG. 5 b may be replaced with the SWEGS 12 for providing the heated content, with burning fossil fuels to heat the content.

FIG. 5 c shows mining apparatus generally indicated as 200 having the SWEGS 12, a heat exchanger arrangement 202, a heat exchanger 204, and a heat transfer device 206, a hot fluid reservoir 208, a pump 210, a pump 212 and piping 214. In operation, the heat exchanger 204 is configured to receive the heated content and to transfer heat to a secondary fluid that is provided to a leaching system or process (e.g., a lixiviation process). By way of example, the secondary fluid may be received at a temperature of about 25° C. and provided to the leaching system or process at a temperature in a range of about 40° C.-50° C. (i.e., 104° F.-122° F.), although the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular temperature or temperature transformation. The mining apparatus 200 may also include the hot fluid reservoir 208 configured to receive and contain the heated content from the SWEGS 12; and the pump 212 may be configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir 208 via the piping 214 to the heat exchanger 204. The heat exchanger 204 may be configured to receive the heated content and transfer heat to the secondary fluid for use in the leaching process. The pump 210 is configured to provide the heated content from the SWEGS 12 to the hot fluid reservoir 208.

FIG. 5 d shows mining apparatus generally indicated as 220 that may include the hot fluid reservoir 208 configured to receive and contain the heated content from the SWEGS 12; a pump 212 configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir 208 via piping 214; and a heat exchanger 222 configured to receive the heated content and transfer heat to a secondary fluid used in a leaching process, including where the secondary fluid is received at about 25° C. and heated to about 50° C. and circulated through a leaching pool 224. The mining apparatus 220 may be configured with a pump 226 to provide mining apparatus content back to the heat extraction system for further processing. By way of example, the heated content may be a Durathem™-based circulating fluid, although other types or kind of fluids may be used consistent with that set forth herein and within the spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 e shows an embodiment according to the present invention, where the heated content from the SWEGS 12 is received by electric generating equipment 230, provided to a leaching apparatus 232, and returned from the leaching apparatus 232 back to the SWEGS 12 for re-heating. Depending on the geothermal resources available, two or more SWEGS may be implemented for any one or more of the applications set forth herein, including the mining applications, as well as the other applications.

Cost Savings Analysis

By way of example, the following are some cost savings analysis related to implementation of, and advantages associated with, the mining apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention:

Example of Heat Application Analysis

An example of an analysis of the heat application may include the following:

A plant producing 22,500 ton/year of Cu fine uses 1,255,187 Gallons (4,750 m3)/year of petroleum−211 liters/ton (55.8 Gallons/ton).

Petroleum has an energy content of 130 MJ/gal.

Assuming a burner efficiency of 80%, that is equivalent to 100 MWh_(th) each day.

This is an average heat use rate of 4.2 MW_(th).

A SWEGS-based plant harvests about 10 MWh_(th) for every MWh_(e) produced. Therefore a standard 1 MW_(e)SWEGS-based plant will produce enough heat for 150 tons per day of leaching.

Example of Electricity and Heat Application Analysis

An example of electricity and heat application may include the following:

A standard 1 MWe SWEGS plant harvests more than the required 4.2 MW_(th) needed for the leaching process

The remaining 5.8 MW_(th) can be used to generate electricity, where 5.8 MW_(th) will yield almost 580 kW_(e).

Therefore, a standard 1 MW_(e) SWEGS plant will produce:

Enough heat for 62 tons per day of leaching, and

580 kW_(e) for on-site use or sale to the grid.

Example of Cost Savings Analysis

An example of a cost savings analysis may include the following:

If the current estimated price for the purchase and use of petroleum is 1.3 USD/lt then:

1.3 USD/lt×211 lt/ton=274.3 USD/ton

The expense for annual petroleum use is:

274.3USD/ton×22.500 ton/year=6.171.750 USD/year.

The equivalent pricing for SWEGS-based technology for an equivalent effect is 200 USD/ton (−27%) the new annual costs are therefore:

200USD/ton×22.500 ton/year=4,500,000 USD/year

This results in a savings=1,671,750 USD/year.

An Example of an Analysis Carbon Reduction

An example of an analysis carbon reduction may include the following:

CO2e transaction is relevant to the model and is analyzed from the equivalence MWh/year generated:

1 gal of petroleum produces about 9 kg of CO₂.

Then, 1,255,187 gal/yr produce 12.455 ton of CO2

An Example of Applications Re Heat Capacity Re Leaching

Possible applications for heat capacity re leaching may include the following:

Two SWEGS wells per plant, where and each SWEGS well can produce 0.25 MWe (very conservative).

Energy use:

62 tons leaching=420 kWe, and

Extra heat=80 kWe (0.8 MWth)

An Example of Leaching Only Applications

An example of a possible implementation for leaching only applications may include the following:

A. Mining Company provides the following:

-   -   Long term land lease,     -   20 year heat purchase agreement,     -   All licenses and permits required, and     -   Loan guarantee for capital.

B. The SWEGS-based technology provides the following:

-   -   SWEGS heat plant, and     -   Heat for 20 years.

An Example of Possible Implementations

Possible implementations may include the following:

Two SWEGS wells per plant,

Each SWEGS can produce 1 MWe,

Energy use,

62 tons leaching=420 kWe, and

Electric production=1.58 MWe.

If the heat resource is large enough, a larger plant can be implemented to supply more electricity for the mining company.

Some advantages of the mining applications include the following:

Reduce dependence on fossil fuels,

Reduce emission of greenhouse gases (CO2),

Improve environmental image of companies,

Reduce carbon footprint of companies,

Reduce costs, and

Normalize costs for 20 years.

Pasteurization or Brewing Applications

By way of example, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the further apparatus comprises pasteurization or brewing apparatus configured to receive the heated content and to provide the heated contents to boilers and heaters used during for pasteurizing or brewing.

Pasteurization Applications

FIG. 6 a shows a juice pasteurization process having a “cooling” element and a “heating” element. The “cooling” element functions to provide cooling consistent with the requirements of the juice pasteurization process in FIG. 6 a. The “heating” element functions to provide heating consistent with the requirements of the juice pasteurization process in FIG. 6 a.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the “cooling” element may be replaced with a chiller like element 30 in FIG. 3 c that receives heated content from the hot fluid reservoir 20 and provides cooling consistent with the requirements of the juice pasteurization process. Alternatively, the “cooling” element may be replaced with the absorption chiller like element 42 shown in FIG. 3 d that is configured, e.g., to receive the heated content from the SWEGS 12.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the “heating” element may be replaced with a hot fluid reservoir like element 20 in FIG. 3 b that receives heated content from the SWEGS 12 and provides heating consistent with the requirements of the juice pasteurization process. Alternatively, the “heating” element may be replaced with the heat exchanger like element 52 shown in FIG. 3 e that is configured, e.g., to receive the heated content from the SWEGS 12.

As a person skilled in the art would appreciate, the term “Pasteurization” may be understood to mean: A process named after scientist Louis Pasteur which uses the application of heat to destroy human pathogens in foods. For the dairy industry, the terms “pasteurization”, “pasteurized” and similar terms shall mean the process of heating every particle of milk or milk product, in properly designed and operated equipment, to one (1) of the temperatures given in the following chart and held continuously at or above that temperature for at least the corresponding specified time:

63° C. (145° F.)  30 minutes Vat Pasteurization 72° C. (161° F.)  15 seconds High temperature short time Pasteurization (HTST) 89° C. (191° F.) 1.0 second  Higher-Heat Shorter Time (HHST) 90° C. (194° F.) 0.5 seconds Higher-Heat Shorter Time (HHST) 94° C. (201° F.) 0.1 seconds Higher-Heat Shorter Time (HHST) 96° C. (204° F.) 0.05 seconds  Higher-Heat Shorter Time (HHST) 100° C. (212° F.)  0.01 seconds  Higher-Heat Shorter Time (HHST) 138° C. (280° F.)  2.0 seconds Ultra Pasteurization (UP)

Brewing Applications

FIG. 6 b shows a brewing process having a “cooling” element and a “boiling” element. The “cooling” element functions to provide cooling consistent with the requirements of the brewing process in FIG. 6 b. The “boiling” element functions to provide heating consistent with the requirements of the brewing process in FIG. 6 b.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the “cooling” element may be replaced with a chiller like element 30 in FIG. 3 c that receives heated content from the hot fluid reservoir 20 and provides cooling consistent with the requirements of the juice pasteurization process. Alternatively, the “cooling” element may be replaced with the absorption chiller like element 42 shown in FIG. 3 d that is configured, e.g., to receive the heated content from the SWEGS 12.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the “boiling” element may be replaced with a hot fluid reservoir like element 20 in FIG. 3 b that receives heated content from the SWEGS 12 and provides heating consistent with the requirements of the juice pasteurization process. Alternatively, the “boiling” element may be replaced with the heat exchanger like element 52 shown in FIG. 3 e that is configured, e.g., to receive the heated content from the SWEGS 12.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein. Also, the drawing herein is not necessarily drawn to scale.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. Apparatus comprising: a heat extraction system for generating geothermal heat from within a drilled well, comprising: a heat conductive material injected into an area within a heat nest near a bottom of a drilled well between a heat exchanging element and rock surrounding the heat nest to form a closed-loop solid state heat exchange to heat contents of a piping system flowing into and out of the heat exchanging element at an equilibrium temperature at which the rock surrounding the heat nest and generating the geothermal heat continually recoups the geothermal heat that the rock is conducting to the heat conductive material and above which the geothermal heat generated by the rock surrounding the heat nest dissipates as the heat conductive material conducts heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest to the heat exchanging element, the heat conductive material configured to solidify to substantially fill the area within the heat nest to transfer heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest and the heat exchanging element, the piping system configured to bring the contents from a surface of the well into the heat nest and carry heated contents to the surface of the well from the heat nest, and the closed-loop solid state heat exchange configured to extract geothermal heat from the well without exposing the rock surrounding the heat nest to a liquid flow, and provide heated contents to the piping system for further processing; and a further apparatus configured to receive the heated content and to further process the heated content in order to implement some further functionality based at least partly on using the heated content. Heating/Cooling
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the further apparatus comprises heating apparatus configured to receive the heated content and to provide thermal heat based at least partly on the temperature of the heated content.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heating apparatus comprises a hot fluid reservoir configured to receive and contain the heated content; and a pump configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir to one or more heating or cooling systems.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heated content is a Durathem™-based circulating fluid.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the one or more heating or cooling systems comprise either a chiller configured to provide a cooling application, a heat exchanger configured to provide a heating application, or both.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the heating apparatus is configured to provide heating apparatus content back to the heat extraction system for further processing. Remediation
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the further apparatus comprises remediation apparatus configured to receive the heated content and to provide remediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including VOC-contaminated soil, rock or groundwater, based at least partly on the temperature of the heated content, including where VOCs volatize at temperatures up to 100° C.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the remediation apparatus comprises a soil vapor extraction system configured to capture volatized VOCs for further processing.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the remediation apparatus comprises a hot fluid reservoir configured to receive and contain the heated content; and a pump configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir via piping through to one or more remediation heat loops or systems, including through one or more VOC plumes.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the remediation apparatus is configured to provide remediation apparatus content back to the heat extraction system for further processing. Mining
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the further apparatus comprises mining apparatus configured to receive the heated content and to provide the heated contents for mining applications.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mining apparatus is configured to receive the heated content and to transfer heat to a secondary fluid required that is part of a leaching system or process.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mining apparatus comprises a hot fluid reservoir configured to receive and contain the heated content; a pump configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir via piping; and a heat exchanger configured to receive the heated content and transfer heat to a secondary fluid used in a leaching process, including where the secondary fluid is heated from about 25° C. to a range of about 40° C. to 50° C. and used in a lixiviation process.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mining apparatus comprises a hot fluid reservoir configured to receive and contain the heated content; a pump configured to provide the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir via piping; and a heat exchanger configured to receive the heated content and transfer heat to a secondary fluid used in a leaching process, including where the secondary fluid is heated from about 25° C. to about 50° C. and circulated through a leaching pool.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the mining apparatus is configured to provide mining apparatus content back to the heat extraction system for further processing.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the heated content is a Durathem™-based circulating fluid. Pasteurization
 17. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the further apparatus comprises pasteurization or brewing apparatus configured to receive the heated content and to provide the heated contents to boilers and heaters used during for pasteurizing or brewing. The Method claims
 18. A method comprising: generating with a heat extraction system geothermal heat from within a drilled well, using the following steps: injecting a heat conductive material into an area within a heat nest near a bottom of a drilled well between a heat exchanging element and rock surrounding the heat nest to form a closed-loop solid state heat exchange to heat contents of a piping system flowing into and out of the heat exchanging element at an equilibrium temperature at which the rock surrounding the heat nest and generating the geothermal heat continually recoups the geothermal heat that the rock is conducting to the heat conductive material and above which the geothermal heat generated by the rock surrounding the heat nest dissipates as the heat conductive material conducts heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest to the heat exchanging element, substantially filing and solidifying the heat conductive material in the area within the heat nest to transfer heat from the rock surrounding the heat nest and the heat exchanging element, bringing with the piping system the contents from a surface of the well into the heat nest and carry heated contents to the surface of the well from the heat nest, and extracting with the closed-loop solid state heat exchange geothermal heat from the well without exposing the rock surrounding the heat nest to a liquid flow, and provide heated contents to the piping system for further processing; and receiving with a further apparatus the heated content and further processing the heated content in order to implement some further functionality based at least partly on using the heated content. Heating/Cooling
 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the method comprises receiving with heating apparatus the heated content and to provide thermal heat based at least partly on the temperature of the heated content.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the method comprises: receiving and containing with a hot fluid reservoir the heated content; and providing with a pump the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir to one or more heating or cooling systems.
 21. A method according to claim 19, wherein the heated content is a Durathem™-based circulating fluid.
 22. A method according to claim 19, wherein the method comprises using either a chiller configured to provide a cooling application, a heat exchanger configured to provide a heating application, or both, as the one or more heating or cooling systems.
 23. A method according to claim 19, wherein the method comprises providing heating apparatus content back to the heat extraction system for further processing. Remediation
 24. A method according to claim 18, wherein the method comprises receiving with remediation apparatus the heated content and to provide remediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including VOC-contaminated soil, rock or groundwater, based at least partly on the temperature of the heated content, including where VOCs volatize at temperatures up to 100° C.
 25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the method comprises capturing with a soil vapor extraction system volatized VOCs for further processing.
 26. A method according to claim 24, wherein the method comprises receiving and containing with a hot fluid reservoir the heated content; and providing with a pump the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir via piping through to one or more remediation heat loops or systems, including through one or more VOC plumes.
 27. A method according to claim 24, wherein the method comprises providing remediation apparatus content back to the heat extraction system for further processing. Mining
 28. A method according to claim 18, wherein the method comprises receiving with mining apparatus the heated content and providing the heated contents to boilers for the combustion of fossil-fuel based energy, including petroleum.
 29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the method comprises receiving with mining apparatus the heated content and transferring heat to a secondary fluid required that is part of a leaching system or process.
 30. A method according to claim 28, wherein the method comprises receiving and containing with a hot fluid reservoir the heated content; providing with a pump the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir via piping; and receiving with a heat exchanger the heated content and transferring heat to a secondary fluid used in a leaching process, including where the secondary fluid is heated from about 25° C. to a range of about 40° C. to 50° C. and used in a lixiviation process.
 31. A method according to claim 28, wherein the method comprises receiving and containing with a hot fluid reservoir the heated content; providing with a pump the heated content from the hot fluid reservoir via piping; and receiving with a heat exchanger the heated content and transferring heat to a secondary fluid used in a leaching process, including where the secondary fluid is heated from about 25° C. to about 50° C. and circulated through a leaching pool.
 32. A method according to claim 28, wherein the method comprises providing mining apparatus content back to the heat extraction system for further processing.
 33. A method according to claim 28, wherein the heated content is a Durathem™-based circulating fluid. Pasteurization
 34. A method according to claim 18, wherein the method comprises receiving with pasteurization or brewing apparatus the heated content and providing the heated contents to boilers and heaters used during for pasteurizing or brewing. 